Reusable and re-collapsible container and associated cap

ABSTRACT

A reusable collapsible container includes a bottom wall and a relatively flexible, peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the side wall movable between axially extended and collapsed positions. The side wall includes lower and upper relatively thicker portions and an intermediate relatively thinner portion, and the upper portion joins with an annular rim adapted to receive a removable cap. The intermediate side wall portion is tapered radially inwardly and downwardly, and the lower side wall portion is tapered radially outwardly and downwardly substantially to the bottom wall, such that in a collapsed position, the lower side wall portion is partially telescoped within the upper side wall portion, with the intermediate portion reverse folded therebetween.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/047,185,filed Apr. 16, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,447, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/012,122, filed Feb. 1,1993, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 07/789,838, Nov. 12, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,551.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to reusable and re-collapsible containers, andparticularly to a one-piece container construction having a peripheralside wall which is arranged to include at least three sections ofdifferential wall thickness and diameter to thereby permit movement ofthe container from an extended to a collapsed position by reason of atelescoping relationship between the various sections of the peripheralside wall.

Collapsible containers, drinking cups and the like are, of course, wellknown. For example, in applicant's own prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,644, acollapsible, thin film plastic container is disclosed wherein a majorportion of the container side wall has a reduced wall thickness topermit random collapse of the side wall. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,211, aplastic bottle having a uniform wall thickness throughout the side wall,is configured to permit collapsing of the container through telescopingmovement of one portion of the side wall into another portion of theside wall.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,576, a container is disclosed wherein anintermediate portion of the side wall incorporates a bellows-typearrangement for facilitating collapse and extension of the container.The patent also discloses the use of helical creases which spiral orangle between first and second portions of the container side wall tofacilitate collapsing action of the creased portion of the side wall.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,100, a bi-stable, expandable plastic bottle isdisclosed which incorporates a bellows-type side wall for movementbetween collapsed and extended positions.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,902, a collapsible, drinking cup (or camerabellows) is disclosed wherein the side wall is composed of alternatingthick and thin portions.

The present invention incorporates a number of features not previouslyfound in the prior art and which result in simple, easy-to-use, low costcontainers which may be used and reused by the consumer as desired, andwhich may be stored in a collapsed condition, maximizing storage space,etc. At the same time, by significantly reducing the thickness of thecontainer side wall in an intermediate portion thereof, sourcereductions in the amount of plastic required to manufacture thecontainers are realized.

More specifically, the invention provides in each of the variouslydisclosed embodiments, a one-piece, extruded and blow molded containerformed with a peripheral side wall divided into upper, intermediate andlower portions, with the upper and lower portions having significantlygreater wall thicknesses than the intermediate portion. For example, theintermediate portion may have a wall thickness of between about 2 andabout 12 mil, and preferably about 8 mil, which permits the intermediateportion to reverse fold as the upper and lower portions, which may eachhave a wall thickness in the range of about 25-60 mil and preferablyabout 45 mil, are moved toward one another in the aforementionedtelescoping relationship.

It is also a feature of the invention that the peripheral side wallinclude surface configurations which facilitate the axial collapse andextension of the container. Thus, in each of the disclosed embodiments,the intermediate peripheral side wall portion is formed with an inwardlyand downwardly tapered profile, i.e., a decreasing diameter in thedownward direction; and the lower peripheral side wall portion is formedwith a downwardly and outwardly tapered profile, i.e., an increasingdiameter in the downward direction. In addition, at the interfacebetween the three sections, the changes in wall thickness provide a pairof annular steps which, in effect, provide a crease to facilitate thefolding or collapsing action. The collapsing action is also facilitatedby reason of the fact that the maximum and minimum diameters of thetapered intermediate side wall portion create a radial clearance betweenthe lower edge of the upper side wall portion and the upper edge of thelower side wall portion, so that there is minimal frictional engagementbetween the upper, intermediate and lower side wall portions duringcollapsing and extending.

Another feature in each of the disclosed embodiments relates to theprovision for a gripping area at the lower end of the lower portion ofthe peripheral side wall, particularly designed to facilitate theextension of the container from the collapsed position.

It is still another feature of the invention to provide variousalternative cap engaging portions at the upper end of the container, andto vary the configuration of the upper side wall portion of thecontainer in a manner which rigidifies the upper portion and which alsofacilitates movement of the container side wall between collapsed andextended positions.

In a first principal embodiment, the upper side wall portion of thecontainer has a substantially uniform diameter in combination with arelatively rigid (but still flexible) annular rim. The rim itself mayhave the same or greater thickness dimensions than the upper and lowerside wall portions.

In one version of this first embodiment, the rim formed by a radiallyoutwardly extending shoulder which is joined to the upper edge of theupper peripheral side wall portion. The shoulder, in turn, joins with asubstantially inverted L-shaped rim comprising a substantially verticalportion and a radially outwardly directed flange terminating at a freeedge. This relatively rigid rim also serves as an attachment point for asnap-on type container cap, and its relative rigidity assists in capretention despite any flexing of the peripheral side wall portionsresulting from, for example, accidental dropping of the container,severe squeezing, etc.

In a modified version of this first principal embodiment, the radiallyoutwardly directed flange portion of the rim is omitted so that a screwthread type cap can be utilized.

In another modified version of this first principal embodiment, thescrew thread type connection is replaced by a sliding friction fit.

In each of the above described versions of the first principalembodiment, the cap receiving rim lies outside the diameter of at leastthe upper and intermediate side wall portions, thus providing aconvenient gripping point for the user when extending or collapsing thecontainer.

In still another modified version of this first principal embodiment ofthe invention, the rim is formed by a radially inwardly inclinedshoulder which is joined to an upright annular rim provided withexternal screw threads for receiving a removable lid. This configurationallows the cap skirt to lie substantially flush with the upper side wallportion of the container when the cap is in place on the container.

In still another version of the first principal embodiment, the upperside wall portion is extended vertically upwardly to the free edge ofthe side wall, with screw threads provided thereon for receiving thecap. Here, the cap skirt will, of course, lie outside the diameter ofthe upper side wall portion.

In a second principal embodiment of the invention, the upper side wallportion includes a relatively large radially outwardly extending, hollowannular rib located at the base of the cap receiving rim. Thesubstantially vertical annular cap receiving rim is provided with screwthreads for cooperative engagement with mating threads on the interiorof the cap skirt. In this second principal embodiment, the cap skirtlies slightly radially inwardly of the outer diameter of the hollow ribwhen the cap is in place on the container. The radially outwardlyprojecting hollow rib provides stiffness to the upper end of thecontainer and provides a good gripping point for the user whencollapsing or extending the container.

In a third principal embodiment, the upper side wall portion tapersupwardly and outwardly from the intermediate side wall portion, and thenupwardly and inwardly to a substantially vertical annular rim providedwith screw threads for receiving a cap. When the cap is threadablysecured to the container, the cap skirt lies substantially flush withthe radially outwardmost surface of the upper peripheral side wallportion of the container.

In all of the embodiments described above, the lower peripheral sidewall portion may be telescoped upwardly into the upper peripheral sidewall portion, with the intermediate side wall portion reverse foldedtherebetween. Moreover, in each case, and as noted above, the relativediameters of the upper, intermediate and lower side wall portions areselected to provide adequate axial and radial space to accommodate thetelescoping action without excessive friction which would otherwise tendto inhibit the movement between extended and collapsed positions, andvice versa.

It is yet another feature of this invention to provide caps for thecontainer which, as noted above, may be of the snap-on type, screwthread type, or friction fit type. In each case, the cap is providedwith an internal skirt which serves to engage and reinforce the annularcontainer rim to provide further insurance of cap retention.

Accordingly, in its broader aspects, the invention relates to a reusablecollapsible container comprising a bottom wall and a relativelyflexible, peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall,the side wall movable between axially extended and collapsed positionsand, in the extended position, having lower and upper relatively thickerside wall portions and an intermediate relatively thinner side wallportion, the upper_side wall portion formed with an annular rim definingan upper open end of the container, the rim formed with means forreceiving a removable cap; and wherein the intermediate side wallportion is tapered downwardly radially inwardly, and the lower side wallportion is tapered downwardly radially outwardly substantially to thebottom wall, such that in the collapsed position, the lower side wallportion is partially telescoped within the upper side wall portion withthe intermediate portion reverse folded therebetween, and with anuppermost edge of the lower side wall portion radially spaced away fromthe upper side wall portion.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a reusable, collapsedcontainer comprising a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall movablebetween extended and collapsed positions, the side wall in the extendedposition having upper, lower and intermediate portions, and wherein inthe collapsed position, the lower side wall portion is partiallytelescoped into the upper side wall portion, with the intermediate sidewall portion reverse folded therebetween, and wherein the lower sidewall portion and the intermediate side wall portion are radiallyinwardly spaced away from the upper side wall portion.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a container and capassembly comprising a container body having a bottom wall and aperipheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall andterminating at an open upper end; the peripheral side wall having upper,intermediate and lower portions, the intermediate portion having a wallthickness substantially less than wall thicknesses of the upper andlower portions; the intermediate portion tapering inwardly in a downwarddirection and the lower portion tapering outwardly in the downwarddirection; the upper portion having an annular rim surrounding the openupper end, the annular rim including first means for receiving aremovable cap; and a cap having a top wall and a depending skirt, thedepending skirt including radially inner and outer rings, the outer ringhaving second means for cooperating with the first means, and the innerring engaging an inner surface of the annular rim.

The present invention thus provides unique container and capconstructions which are useful for a variety of purposes. It will beappreciated that the container may be advantageously shipped, stocked,and stored between use in the collapsed condition, thus enablingefficient use of space. At the same time, the container is easilyexpandable to an enlarged volume, and is particularly well suited forthe storage of foodstuffs (frozen or refrigerated) or other material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with a firstprincipal embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1 butwith a cap applied thereto;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the container illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the container illustrated in FIG. 2, but inthe collapsed condition;

FIG. 5 is a partial section view illustrating the manner of connectionof the cap and container shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section showing a manner of attachment betweena cap and a container in accordance with a modified version of theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross section showing a manner of attachment betweena cap and a container in accordance with another modified version of theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 8 is a side section of another modified version of the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 8A is a partial section of a variation of the embodiment disclosedin FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a side section view of the container illustrated in FIG. 8 butin a collapsed position;

FIG. 10 is a side section of a container in accordance with a secondprincipal embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a side section of the container illustrated in FIG. 10 but inthe collapsed position;

FIG. 12 is a side section of a container in accordance with a thirdprincipal embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a side section of a container illustrated in FIG. 12, but inthe collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, an extrusion/blow molded container 10 inaccordance with the first principal embodiment of the inventiongenerally includes a bottom wall 12 and a peripheral side wall 14extending generally upwardly from the bottom wall 12. The container maybe made of low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene or other,suitable plastic material. In the embodiment described herein, the sidewall is generally circular (when viewed in cross sections taken throughthe container) but it will be appreciated that the container may haveother suitable shapes as well. The peripheral side wall terminates at anopen upper end 16.

The peripheral side wall 14 in this exemplary embodiment is formed toinclude three axial portions including an upper portion 18, anintermediate portion 20 and a lower portion 22. The upper andintermediate portions 18 and 20 have generally similar axial lengths,while the lower portion 22 has a somewhat greater axial length for areason described further below. An exemplary thickness for side wallportions 18 and 22 may be, for example, in the range of about 25 to 60mil and preferably about 45 mil. The bottom wall 12 may be substantiallythicker if desired. The intermediate side wall portion 20 may have athickness between about 2 and 12 mil and preferably about 8 mil. In anyevent, the ratio between the thickness of each of the upper and lowerside wall portions to the thickness of the intermediate side wallportion should be at least 3.75 to 1 and preferably about 5 to 1. Theseratios are significant in that the absolute thickness values may changedepending on container diameter, axial length and hence, volumetriccapacity.

The uppermost end of the container side wall 14 includes an annular rimadapted to receive a removable cap or lid, and the thickness of this rimarea may be the same or greater than the upper side wall portions. Whilethe upper and lower side wall portions 18 and 22 are flexible, they arerelatively rigid as compared to the much thinner intermediate portion20. This arrangement permits easy collapse, extension and re-collapse ofthe container in a manner described in more detail below.

The three described side wall portions 18, 20 and 22 are separated by apair of transitional steps 24, 26 which may comprise radially inwardlydirected tucks or indentations which result primarily by the changes inwall thickness at each interface between adjacent side wall portions.These steps facilitate the telescoping of the lower side wall portion 22into the upper portion 18, as well as the reverse folding of theintermediate side wall portion 20 relative to lower side wall portion22.

The overall configuration of the peripheral side wall also contributesto the ease with which the container may be collapsed and extended. Forexample, in this first principal embodiment, the upper peripheral sidewall portion 18 is substantially cylindrical, i.e., of substantiallyconstant diameter. The intermediate peripheral side wall portion 20,however, tapers in a downward and inward direction, i.e., the diameterof the intermediate portion 20 decreases substantially uniformly in adownward direction. The lower peripheral side wall portion 22 is taperedin the opposite direction, i.e., the diameter of the lower peripheralside wall portion increases substantially uniformly in the downwarddirection. This configuration is particularly advantageous in that byapplying axially compressive forces on the top and bottom of thecontainer, the lower intermediate portion 22 will readily move upwardlytoward the upper peripheral side wall portion 18 while causing theintermediate peripheral side wall portion 20 to reverse fold in themanner best seen in FIG. 4. In this regard, and with specific referenceto FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that the above described sidewall configuration establishes a significant difference in diameters asbetween the upper side wall portion 18 and the uppermost end of thelower side wall portion 22 (i.e., the smallest diameter of the lowerside wall portion). This difference is determined by the degree of taperof the intermediate side wall portion 20, which, in turn, is determinedby the maximum and minimum diameters of that portion of the side wall.Exemplary dimensions relating to side wall portion 20 are provided belowfor containers of varying volumetric capacity.

A. 11 oz. container

Max. Dia.: 2.757"

Min. Dia.: 2.260"

Angle of taper (from vertical): 5.85°

Radial clearance: about 0.248"

B. 16 oz. container

Max. Dia.: 3.021"

Min. Dia.: 2.508"

Angle of taper: 5.42°

Radial clearance: 0.256"

C. 32 oz. container

Max. Dia.: 4.056"

Min. Dia.: 3.399"

Angle of taper: 6.7°

Radial clearance:0.328"

D. 64 oz. container

Max. Dia.: 4.75"

Min. Dia.: 4.052"

Angle of taper: 5.12°

Radial clearance: 0.349"

It will be appreciated that to obtain the true radial clearances in eachcase, the thickness of the upper side wall portion 18 must be subtractedfrom the values given above. It is preferred that these clearances be inthe range of from about 0.187 to 0.5 inch, depending on container size,and wall thickness dimensions. By this arrangement, friction resistanceas the lower side wall section telescopes into the upper side wallportion (as well as the reverse movement during extension) is minimized.In fact, as best seen in FIG. 4, neither the lower side wall portion 22nor the intermediate portion 20 are in radial contact with the interiorsurface of the upper side wall portion 18 when the container iscollapsed.

At the same time, by reason of the extended length and the downward,outward taper of the lower side wall portion 22, when the intermediateportion 20 is fully reversed with the lower portion 22 telescoped intothe upper section 20, there remains exposed a lower end 23 (see FIGS. 4)of the lower portion 22 which provides a good grasping point for theuser for exerting a pull on the container to re-expand the latter to theextended position illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, the tapered lower sidewall portion (the upper diameter of which is controlled by the degree oftaper of the intermediate side wall portion 20) performs a threefoldfunction of 1) permitting the lower side wall portion to telescopeeasily into the upper side wall portion 18; 2) providing good stabilityfor the container in a design which would otherwise tend to decreasestability through increasing diameter reductions toward the lower end ofthe container; and 3) providing a readily accessible gripping point forthe user to exert pushing and pulling forces at opposite ends of thecontainer.

With reference now particularly to FIG. 5, the open upper end 16 of thecontainer 10 is formed with a radially outwardly extending shoulder 28joined to the upper edge of the upper peripheral side wall portion 18.The shoulder 28 joins with a substantially inverted L-shaped rim 30comprising a substantially vertical stem portion 32 and a radial flange34 terminating at an outer peripheral edge 36 to thereby form an annularcap or lid receiving rim.

The shoulder 28, vertical stem 32 and radial flange 34 may be ofgenerally the same or greater thickness as the upper and lower side wallportions 18 and 22, but may vary somewhat depending on how the upper endof the container is formed, i.e., blown along with the side wall orcompression formed.

An associated cap 38 in this first principal embodiment includes acenter disc area 40 including a peripheral, upstanding hollow rib 42,and a depending skirt which has a substantially inverted U-shape. Thus,the skirt includes an inner annular skirt portion 46 and a radiallyouter annular skirt portion 48, connected by an annular, horizontal web60. The outer annular skirt portion 48 terminates at an outwardly angledgripping edge 52 which may extend completely (or only partially) aboutthe cap 38.

The outer annular skirt 48 is also provided with an inwardly directedannular projection or lug 54 below and substantially adjacent the web50.

In use, the cap 38 is pressed onto the container such that the lug 54snaps over the peripheral edge 36 of the container rim 30. This may beaccomplished by pressing one portion of the cap 38 onto the container 10and then progressively applying a compressive force (between the cap andthe container rim) about the periphery of the container 10 until the cap38 is fully and securely attached to the container. At the same time,the inner annular skirt portion 46 engages the interior of the verticalstem portion 32, substantially continuously about the container, and ispreferably in radial compression therewith. The relative rigidity of theupper container rim 30 and the compressive engagement between the innerannular skirt portion 46 and the vertical portion 32 of the containerrim insures secure attachment of the cap 38 to the container 10. By thisarrangement, the cap 38 will not become dislodged from the container 10as a result of flexing of the container side wall, or upon impact fromaccidental dropping, etc.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a modified version of this firstembodiment includes a cap 38 of the screw-on type. More specifically,the open upper end 16' of the container 10' is formed with a radiallyoutwardly extending shoulder 28' joined to the upper edge of the upperperipheral side wall portion 18'. The shoulder 28' joins with asubstantially vertical annular stem 32' provided with screw threads 62about the exterior surface thereof. The cap 38' includes a center discarea 40' including a peripheral hollow rib 42', and a depending skirt44' which again has a substantially inverted U-shape. Specifically, theskirt portion includes an inner annular skirt portion 46' and a radiallyouter annular skirt portion 48' connected by a horizontal annular web50'. The web 50' has a radial width which is substantially the same asthe wall thickness of stem 32' to provide flush engagement between theinner and outer skirt portions 46', 48' and the stem 32'. The outerannular skirt portion 48' terminates at an outwardly angled grippingedge 52' which, as in the previously described embodiment, may extendcompletely about the cap.

The outer annular skirt 48' is provided with screw threads 64 on itsinterior surface which are adapted to cooperate with the screw threads62 provided on the exterior surface of the vertical stem 32'. The cap38' may be screwed onto the container 10' in the conventional fashion,and the inner annular skirt portion 46' will engage the interior surfaceof the stem 32' to reinforce the same and prevent dislodgement of thecap 38' in substantially the same manner as the inner depending skirtportion 46' of the earlier described embodiment.

In FIG. 7, another version of the first principal embodiment is shown.Here, the container rim comprises simply a radially outward web orshoulder 28" and an upward and slightly outwardly tapered extension 30".Cap 38" is formed with inner and outer depending skirts 46" and 48"which form a groove which may be pressed onto the stem 32" in arelatively tight frictional engagement. In other words, this embodimentis similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, but the screwthreads have been omitted in favor of a sliding type friction fit.

It will be appreciated that other manners of attachment of the cap tothe container may be employed so long as means such as the inner skirtportions (46, 46' and 46") are provided for reinforcing the rim of theflexible container to insure retention of the cap on the container underabnormal conditions such as accidental dropping of the container, severesqueezing of the container side wall, and other events which mightotherwise result in flexing or temporary elastic deformation of thecontainer rim and resulting dislodgement of the cap.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another version of the first principalembodiment is illustrated wherein the annular rim at the open upper endof the container includes a radially inwardly and upwardly taperedshoulder 68 and a vertically extending stem 70 provided with screwthreads 72 for threadably receiving a cap 74. The cooperation betweenthe cap inner and outer skirt portions 76, 78 and the stem 70 remains aspreviously described.

When the removable lid or cap 74 is applied to the container, the outerannular skirt 78 lies substantially radially flush with the upperperipheral side wall portion 80, thus presenting a smooth transitionfrom cap 74 to upper side wall portion. The container configurationincluding the intermediate side wall portion and lower side wallportion, and the various dimensions thereof are otherwise similar to thepreviously described versions and therefore need not be furtherdiscussed.

With specific reference to FIG. 9, it will be appreciated that when thecontainer is axially compressed to the collapsed position, there issufficient space, both radially and axially within the upper peripheralside wall portion 80 to accommodate both the lower peripheral side wallportion 84 and the intermediate side wall portion 82 withoutinterference from the shoulder 68.

An alternative upper side wall design is shown in FIG. 8A where theupper side wall portion 80' extends substantially uniformly from theintermediate side wall portion 82 to the exterior screw thread 72' . Thecap in this version will, of course, extend radially beyond the upperside wall portion 80'.

Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, a second principal embodiment of theinvention is illustrated. In this second principal embodiment, the upperperipheral side wall portion 86 is formed with a radially outwardlyextending hollow rib 88 which includes oppositely tapered portions 90,92 and an outermost substantially vertical portion 94. This hollow rib88 is located intermediate the upper and lower ends of the upperperipheral side wall portion 86. Incorporation of the rib 88 isparticularly advantageous in that it provides a convenient grippingpoint for the user for purposes of both collapsing and extending thecontainer. With reference to FIG. 11, it is again readily apparent thatin the collapsed position, the side wall configuration is such that theupper side wall portion 86 easily accommodates the lower peripheral sidewall portion 96 and the intermediate peripheral side wall portion 98 inthe collapsed position without interference, in the same manner as inthe previously described embodiment.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, a third principal embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, wherein the upper peripheral side wall portion100 is reconfigured to include an upwardly and outwardly tapered portion102 which is joined to a radially inwardly tapered portion 104. Surface102 joins to the upright annular rim 106, also provided with externalscrew threads as previously described. Here again, the tapered surface102 of the upper peripheral side wall portion 100 provides a goodgripping surface for the user to facilitate collapse and extension ofthe container between the extended position illustrated in FIG. 12 andthe collapsed position illustrated in FIG. 13. As in the case of the twopreviously described embodiments, the configuration of the upperperipheral side wall portion 100 leaves more than enough axial andradial space to accommodate the lower peripheral side wall portion 108and the intermediate peripheral side wall portion 110 in the collapsedposition. Otherwise, the intermediate and lower side wall portions 110,108, respectively, are substantially identical to the previouslydescribed embodiments.

The above described configurations for the upper side wall portions ofthe container are intended to be exemplary and the invention is notintended to be limited thereto.

The above described containers may be utilized for a variety ofpurposes. For example, a container may be shipped empty from amanufacturer for filling with foodstuffs or other material at anotherlocation. The container may also be sold to consumers empty as a storagecontainer for foodstuffs and/or other materials. In the latter instance,the container is particularly advantageous in that it may be collapsedand efficiently stored during shipping and between use.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reusable collapsible container comprising:abottom wall and a relatively flexible, peripheral side wall extendingupwardly from said bottom wall, said side wall movable between axiallyextended and collapsed positions and, in the extended position, havinglower and upper relatively thicker side wall portions and anintermediate relatively thinner side wall portion located axiallybetween said lower and upper side wall portions, said upper side wallportion formed with an annular rim defining an upper open end of thecontainer, said rim formed with means for receiving a removable cap; andwherein said lower portion is tapered downwardly and radially outwardlyalong substantially its entire length from said intermediate side wallportion and wherein said upper side wall and intermediate side wallportions are shaped and arranged such that in said collapse position,said lower side wall portion is partially telescoped within said upperside wall portion with said intermediate side wall portion forming acompletely reverse folded portion therebetween, and with an uppermostedge of said lower side wall portion radially spaced away from saidupper side wall portion.
 2. A reusable collapsible containercomprising:a bottom wall and a relatively flexible, peripheral side wallextending upwardly from said bottom wall, said side wall movable betweenaxially extended and collapsed positions and, in the extended position,having lower and upper relatively thicker side wall portions and anintermediate relatively thinner side wall portion located axiallyadjacent said lower side wall portion , said upper side wall portionformed with an annular rim defining an upper open end of the container,said rim formed with means for receiving a removable cap; and whereinsaid lower and intermediate side wall portions are tapered in oppositedirections and further wherein said upper, lower and intermediate sidewall portions are shaped and arranged such that in said collapsedposition, said lower side wall portion is partially telescoped withinsaid upper side wall portion with said intermediate side wall portionforming a completely reverse folded portion therebetween which extendssubstantially parallel to said lower side wall portion, and with anuppermost edge of said lower side wall portion radially spaced away fromsaid upper side wall portion.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein partof said lower side wall portion remains exposed when the container is inthe collapsed position to thereby provide a gripping area.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 2 wherein said container side wall and said rim arecircular in cross section and wherein said upper side wall portion has asubstantially uniform diameter.
 5. The container of claim 2 wherein saidcontainer is constructed of one of LDPE or polypropylene.
 6. Thecontainer of claim 2 wherein said upper side wall portion has a wallthickness of between about 25 and 60 mil, and said intermediate sidewall portion has a wall thickness of between about 2 and 12 mil.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 2 wherein said upper and lower side wall portionshave a wall thickness of about 45 mil and said intermediate side wallportion has a wall thickness of about 8 mil.
 8. The container of claim 2wherein a ratio of upper and lower side wall portion wall thickness tointermediate side wall portion wall thickness is at least 3.75 to
 1. 9.The container of claim 2 and including a removable cap, wherein said capincludes a center disc and a surrounding depending skirt, said skirtincluding an outer skirt portion having means for cooperating with saidmeans on said rim, and an inner skirt portion arranged to engage aninner surface of said rim.